A “monumental” step towards banning the live export of horses for slaughter was made on Tuesday (14 May), as provisional legislation passed its third and final reading in the House of Lords. The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill now just needs royal assent before it becomes law. “The passage of this law ensures that no horse, pony or donkey will legally be exported from Great Britain for slaughter and while this is a monumental step forward, plenty more needs to be achieved to effectively combat the illegal export of equines from the country,” said World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers.
British dressage legend Carl Hester recorded the highest score he has ever had when the exciting mare he was riding was awarded 98.4% in a young horse class at the All England Dressage Festival at Hickstead on Friday (10 May). Quinn G (Quarterhit x Fassbinder), owned by Fiona Bigwood, won the five-year-old World Breeding Championship with Betina Jaeger last year, before she was sold to Fiona. “She has the perfect young horse champion vibe; she has a huge walk, huge trot, and huge canter. She’s enormous in character, size, movement – she’s just awesome to ride. That horse is a star without any rider on her,” said Carl.
A driver, who killed a horse when his lorry hit a broken-down horsebox on the M1 last July, has been jailed and suspended from driving. Nicholas Cole, 47, of Harrison Road, Wordsley, Stourbridge, admitted driving dangerously, at Northampton Magistrates Court in February. He was sentenced, at Northampton Crown Court on 9 May, to 42 weeks in prison and suspended from driving for 21 months. A video showing the incident has been shared by police as a warning to other road users of the importance of keeping their focus on the road and reading gantry signs.
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
